Signal for fire-sprinkler systems.



L. D. CHANDLER.

SIGNAL FOR FIRE SPRJNKLER SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 22, I911.

Patented Feb. 13, 1917.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEONARD D. CHANDLER, 01'! NORTH AIBINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SIGNAL FOR FIRE-SPRINKLER SYSTEMS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 13, 1917.

Application filed March 22, 1911. Serial No. 616,197.

fire sprinkler and other systems and among other objects provides a signal which always operates on the discharge of water through the automatic sprinkler valves, but is prevented from operation at other times. The invention comprises an apparatus of the type shown in my Letters Patent No. 989,335, dated April 11, 1911, based on an application filed March 4, 1910, and copending with the present application.

The character of the invention may be best understood by reference to the following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof shown in'the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section, of a sprinkler system equipped with a signal device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 on an enlarged scale is a vertical section through a water meter motorand instrumentalities for operating the signal;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 33 of Fig. 2;

' Fig. 4 on an enlarged scale is a vertical section of a device shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 55 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a main pipe supplying water to branch pipes distributed throughout the building in which the system is installed, a single branch pipe 3 being shown herein provided with usual automatic sprinkler valves 5.

A check valve 7 interposedin said main pipe 1 is carried by an arm 9 pivoted to the wall of an enlarged chamber 11 and normally held on its seat by a weight 13. Access to the valve within the chamber may be had through a removable head 15.

I will now describe a signal and means for.

operating the same automatically on a reduction in pressure above the valve 7 caused by-the opening of the s rinkler valves 5. To this end there is provi ed in the main pipe 1 hub 45 loose on said shaft.

a by-pass pipe 17 having one leg entering said pipe beneath the check valve 7 and another leg entering said pipe above said valve. Interposed in this by-pass is switch operating means, herein comprising a casing 19 containing a water meter motor rotative in opposite directions, such for example, as is used in water meter motors of the disk type. Briefly, this motor comprises a disk 21 mounted on a ball 23 rotative in a bearing 25 curved to conform to the contour of said ball, said disk being inclosed within a casing 27 having openings permitting water passing through the "by-pass pipe to act onthe disk 21 and cause the same to oscillate in the casing 27. The ball is provided with a pin 29 projecting upwardly through an aperture in the crown of the bearing 25, said pin being adapted to engage a crank 31 on a short vertical shaft journaled in a frame 33 depending from the top of the casing 19. The oscillatory movements of the disk 21 will cause the pin 29 to oscillate and transmit rotative movements to said short shaft.

A switch operating shaft 35 is journaled in abearing in the top of the motor casing 19 and in a bearing in a plate 37 of a bonnet 39 mounted on said casing 19. To transmit rotative movements from the water meter motor to the shaft 35 at a considerably reduced speed, a gear train 41 is interposed between the short motor operated shaft rotated by the motor pin 29 and the switch operating shaft 35. The switch illustrated herein as operated by the shaft 35 comprises .a cupped wheel 43, (Figs. 2 and 3) having a This wheel is provided with a switch arm 47 having a knife contact 49 adapted toenter between resilient leaves of a fixed contact 51 mounted in an insulating plug 53 threaded into an aperture in said bonnet 55.

The contact 51 is connected by a wire 57 to one of the contacts 59 of an electric bell 60, the other contact 59 of said bell being connected by a wire (35 to an instrumentality to be referred to. The latter is connected by a wire 67 to a contact (59 on the bonnet 55.

The rotary movements of the knife contact 49 are limited by a heel 71 on said switch arm 47 adapted to engage one or another of two stop lugs 73, and 75 projecting inwardly from the bonnetg55. Said switch arm is normally held with its heel 71 against saidstop lug 75 by a spiral spring 77 encircling the switch wheel hub and having its inner end attached to the switch arm carrying wheel hub 45 and its outer end attached to thebonnet 55.

In order that the switch shaft 35 may rotate the switch wheel from its open position in which its heel engages the stop 75, to its closed position as shown in Fig. 3, suitable clutch means may be provided. As shown, this clutch means comprises a hub 78 (Fig. 3) fast on said shaft 35 and slotted to receive substantially circular expansion springs 79 adapted by their inherent resilience to press against the inner surface of the wall of the cup 43. Their pressure vary their pressure on said contact wheel.

The switch shaft 35, through the clutch springs 79, will cause the switch wheel to turn until the switch arm has swung 1ts heel from the stop 75 tothe stop 73 thereby closing the switch. If the motor continues to rotate, said spring 79 will slip along the inner wall of said wheel without rotating the latter. The spiral spring 77, when energized by the switch closing rotation of the switch wheel, tends to reversely rotate said wheel to bring the switch arm 47 to its open position.

. 'In accordance with the above-described.

construction, each time that a measured or predetermined quantity of Water flows through the by-pass, the switch arm 47 will rotate around to its position shown in Fig. 3 and if the circuit is otherwise closed will complete the closing of the motor, switch of the circuit and cause the bell to ring.

In order that a signal for a fire sprinkler 1 system may be valuable, it must operate .5 is connected to a similar fixed contact 87 every time the sprinklers open as in the case of fire, or when bad leaks occur in the svstem, but at no other time. The pressure in the main supply pipe varies from time to time according to the demands on the supply.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide means for preventingthe operation of the signal on the surging or rushing of water up into the pipe. To this end means is provided for automatically opening the circuit from the motor operated switch to the bell on the occurrence of any such surging so that the motor operated switch may only be effective to operate the signal on the opening of the automatic sprinkler valves. v

To this end, the wire 67 leading from the fixed contact of the motor operated switch (Fig. 5) mounted in an insulation plug 89 threaded-or otherwise secured to a casing 91,

engagement of a heel on said arm with spaced stops 96, 96 'on said casing. The contact wheel is cupped to receivea clutch 101 which may be similar to that described in connection with the meter motor, said clutch including a hub 103 fast on the shaft 99. Also fast on said shaft is a pulley 105 (Fig. i) having a hub 107 secured to said shaft by a set. screw 109. On said pulley is a round belt or cord 111 having one end secured to a weight 113 (Fig. 5) conveniently guided in an elongated tube 115 secured to the base of the casing 91. The opposite end of the cord 111 is secured to a weight 117'somewhat heavier than the weight 113, the weight 117 being adapted tofloat on a column of mercury in a tube 119 having one end secured to the base of the casing 91 and its opposite end extending within and nearlyto the bottom of a closed well 120 of greater capacity than said tube v 119, so that it may at times readily contain all of the mercury therein. The well 120 is connected at its top by a pipe 121 with a chamber 123 interposed in the by-pass 17,

.- herein at a point between the water meter motor and the by-pass leg connecting with the main pipe 1 above the check valve 7, although the pipe 121 may be entered at any other point in the system above said check valve or beyond the water meter motor if desired. The chamber 123 is provided to prevent pressure changes in the pipe 121 from the velocity of water flowing through the by-pass past said chamber.

To prevent the mercury from being pressed up out of the tube 119, a cap 119" may be provided in the top of said tube having an aperture. 119 for receiving the weight cord 111. To automatically close said aperture when the weight is near the top of said tube, a cone plug or valve 111 may be secured to said cord 111 just above said weight and the aperture 119 may be similarly coned to constitute a valve seat for said, valve. Although a switch operating means is shown herein in the form of a mercurial gage, it will be understood that other types of pressure responsive switch operating means might be used.

The weighted check valve tends to create a difference in pressure above and beneath the same and as a result there is a tendency for a flow around through the by-pass to equalize the pressure above and beneath the check valve. The water meter motor is re Wise (linife contact 97 leaves of the fixed eonking t reuit to the is moving the arm 95 thereof in a clock rection (big, 5) until the k is separated from the tact 8? thereby brea he ci and itch on the opsponsive to this differential pressure rotated in :1 direction to close its SW now or seer in one QIYGCLIOH and 1s rotatecl 5:0 open D'LS switch on how or Water 111 7 7 l 11 emmed 1 fort e ahc w l o mnm me hiIi .ru 11 PI ill I O OOttn tmm en ne fl emnuu me nm-w 6 0 6 1 10p Ogt 1 1 011 nn i0 0 G G .lnti woin l 1& Vt u .1 n ime Vo Or C bdcnil 9 0 W dd vvcv ll e U71 1 .1 nem l Thha .lt yfl o si n i 1. Ti e nr 87 1 1p b fiibps r 1 fi m 0 Pl BS VJ me S r ufl n e eh re Mwh a wei mOl Y1 il s; 0 2 nve ru rw 1 S e u ne ide n l mm um in m C aww im C 1 o 1 hl wmymw e 11 we e m D S 1. 1 I e m av fi fivvfiwmp. OSTMU i wm m m e m m nu 11 l r b mp S if 1 i% 910.. m .1 File! w u ue v ei ph swmmv b 5 no 1L further the reduce she presill be cor- 98 without causing ecrezises or (l thereby ing whee rotation operet h the thereof; he water As soon as this pressure (l rnboclisprinkler valves open on th the e above the checl re difference I" k veli the presence of a difel benezit epenclens of t the selecte'l e str and does n t indicate feren-m in pressure eoove an check valve and is incl meter in tor vhiehi nieni'z o the or means 1' pressur valve, back 0 e niereurv column \v e gage ilhi ates gre the column will she 11?; thereby ron eontracloclru nd sure th responclingly reduced fall and. with it the Wei toting iihe swiich zirni \vi ion causi betvvee act 8'? as show ibecl 2i ssu hove (lescr C 3 c 1 on es pensive heneetl above and parzitus is 21 e Contact Xed co se direct torneizic sprinkler thereby t. ihe peraiing ii and poin tor o tive to COIllPlQiB t cl a hat the n in

reuit at t ter e ci of the Water ine hen be eifc LO enter ne ening" complete '5 cause ii reduction closin e nich will be coi ierinit Water to be pipe tlHOUPl id. velves 1e 01 ili sin he eu and in 11 ipe and so ri l delivered from i cler vulves 4n case valves 5 \v branch p of the sp c he an rin. men on from above i switch may L closing of the circuit sound. the ale 11 case she wuier s lcl ii the c 1Cl valve 7' through the by-pass to th Cr valve, the ine'er motor e in e lir to side of szii i This r the mercury l with it "the eorcl,

e in ie syste niunica'ied m the niercur' f pr sure will eause so clrop ah! :i result through the re switch arm Will i that 95 ite ectlon o pos L ro Xesl i4 ivoule the, i1

ircu

Ulil

h s it pro hes

a away I open he circuis 'zhe inereue in pressure above valve Lino ou b rote m Li grin Jreve v reel:

she ci iressure in See SZJS nal w boih on Lire i the si res are closedshe systei n the system.

ie flow of this . will be suflicient to rotate the meter motor enough to close its switch. The alarm is not such an. event since the pressure increase causes the mercury column to rise and operate its swltch and automatically break the circuit. 1

The condition known as waterhammer embodies the combination of the rise and fall of pressure just recited, with this difterence-that they are pulsations or of short duration; but from the above discussion it will be clear that this will not be eflective to sound the signal.

There are apt to be not only pressure changes while the sprinkler valves are closed, but also, more or less water motion or flow, caused by the compressing of air pocketed in the system." An inward flow around the bypass? might be suh'icient to close the motor operated switch, but the flow into the system while the. sprinkler valves are closed increases the pressure,-

. causing the mercury column to rise and open its switch and thereby prevent operation of the signal.

A flow in the opposite direction, or out of the system, reverses the motor and opens its switch, but this is accompanied by a tall in pressure, causing the mercury column to lower and close its switch, and in this case the alarm will not operate.

It will be observed that-the flow responsive motor isentirely independent of the pressure responsive mercury column, or in other words, their cooperation resides merely in controlling the circuit, but as mechanisms they are entirely independent, one being responsive or taking care of one condition and a the other being responsive or taking care of another condition. They areabsolutely independent of one another as far as conditions in the system are concerned.

.From the above discussion, it will be ap- 7 parent that the only condition under which the alarm will sound will be when there is a flow into the systern accompanied by a .tall in pressure, and clearly this can only occur when the sprinkler valves are open in the same direction, but in condition f theand there is a flow through them.

To recapitulate', i. It should be understood that in nearly every system there may be a quantity of air I ferent possible conditions as follows: permitted to sound on the-occurrence of r occur in system.

not

, Pressure.

Condition of. Pressure rises in system.

when pressure ot supply to the system rises, from any cause, such to? example as waterhammer, or filling of stand pipes.

Condition Z): Pressure falls in system when pressure of supply to system falls from whatever cause.

Condition 0: Pressure falls, in system when sprinkler valves open, or bad leaks Flown.

Condition d: Water flows up into system when pressure of supply rises, from what.- ever cause.

Condition 6.1 Water flows back out of system when city pressure falls, from whatever cause.

Condition f Water flows up into system when sprinklers open or bad leaks occurin system. v

5. From the above conditions the following observations may be made:

(1) Any alarm device dependent upon the pressures in the system must be able to distinguish between condition Z) and condition 0, in order not to give false alarms, as in each case the pres'surefalls, but in condition 0 the sprinkler opens and we wantaii alarm and in the case b the sprinkler does not open and we do not Want an alarm. Condition 6 may be distinguished from condition 0 by a device responsive to the direction of water flow in the supply pipes tothe system. In condition 6 water flows down out of the system. In condition 0 water flows up into the system. v' v Thus we see how a device responsive to the direction of flow in supply pipes will distinguish condition I) from condition 0.

(2) Any alarm device'dependent upon the direction of How in the supply pipes to the system must be able to distinguish between condition 03 and condition 7 in order not to give false alarms, as in each case the flow is in case the essui'e in the system *5 Thus We see how a levies fer: recording changes of pressui'es in the system will elisiins'uish 0on5 ioi (Z from condition f.

is eiielenli slim; if the above i'efeii'ed pressure esponsii'e device and flow iesponfive device, sseli.

seeing independently 1:

omen are used jointly to eoniifo she eiin the letter W i be conditions 0 and f exist no secure by in; a signal; and plural means, one contin ually responsive to pressure in the system and. another responsive to flow of Water through the system for jointly controlling the of the signal.

" in apparatus of the elass describes,

coninrising, 1n oombinesion, a sprinkler sy therein; 2 tie letter after s predeteriiiinecl volume of Water has been 1 {jlll'Gllgll the Valves, said means having provision for pre venting operation 0); the signal fsom creasing pressiie the system.

e. An ammmtns of the el ss describes L1 comprising", in coniloin'alien 2: s31 n lea sys tem having sutoinea e spriililen valves therein; a signal; l

the latte including his siren snoi means for sutoiiistic closing ireuit on the alischerge w iii-0112it i valv s including means 550" enting p ration of the signal on inoi'e 5; pressure lil'tilw) system and on oi Weasel awn iyoin ssidi valves.

7 [in s op sle class described eon'iprising, blfiibtlOn sprinkles syseni e i'tomstie sprinkler valves therein; e s al; electrical. connections for the latter in Cid nonnell}? Open elec- 'rie eii'euis; for closing said eii n for breaking the circuit on an in in said.

system 1' 2 now ies? sack out of ssi a system.

COnlPllSl-. system in ll. An apparatus of theclass described,

comprising, in combination, a sprinkler means in said by-pass for controlling the operation of said signal; and pressure responsive means cooperating With said flow responsive means, but operating independently of said tloivresponsive means for corn trolling the operation of the signal.

12. An apparatus of the class described, comprising, in combination, a sprinkler system having automatic sprinkler valves therein a si 'nal' and means for controllin b 9 I: l

the latter including flow responsive means and a pressure gage operable independently of one another and continually responsive to conditions in the system,

13. An apparatus or the class described, comprising, in combination, a sprinkler system having automatic sprinkler valves therein; a signal; and means for operating the latter including a water meter motor responsive to "flow through the system and a pressure gage continually responsive to pressure variations in the system, said motor being operable independently of said gage.

14. An apparatus of the class described, comprising, in combination, a sprinkler system having automatic sprinkler valves therein; a signal; and means for operating the latter including a water meter motor and a pressure gage for jointly controlling the operation of said signal, said motor be ing operable independently or" said gage.

15. An apparatus of the class described,

comprising, in combination, a sprinkler system having automatic sprinkler valves there in; a signal; a main supply pipe in said system; a Weighted check valve in said pipe; a Toy-pass around said check valve; a rotative Water motor in said by-pass; and a pressure gage in communication with the system, said motor and gage'being adapted to jointly control the operation of said signal.

An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a sprinkler sysem having automatic sprinkler valves therea signal; and means for controlling the atter including an electric circuit having two switches and a bell therein; a Water motor for operating one of said switches and pressure continually in communican withthe system for operating the other said switches.

1?. an apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a main, a checlr valve thereln, sprinkler system heyond said check valve having automatic sprinkler valves therein; a signal; and means for on the la includi ,3 means in i the s scem and means independent or sponsive to pressure changes on flow into or out of the system. I

18, An apparatus ot the class described comprising, in combination, a sprinkler system including a pipe; automatic sprinkler valves for the latter; a check valve in said pipe; a bypass around said check valve;

' a slenaland means i for controllinsr'th'e in; a signal; an electric circuit therefor;

and means for operating the signal on the opening of the system including switches in said circuit, one opened by increase of static or other pressure in said system and closed on decrease of pressure in said system and the other closed on flow into the system.

20. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in cornbination, a sprinkler system having automatic sprinkler valves therein; a signal; an electric circuittherefor"; means for operating the signal on the opening or the system; a liquid column in communication with the system; a switch in said circuit; and clutch means for transmitting movements of said column to said switch to automatically close the switch on the discharge of Water through the sprinkler valves and automatically open the switch on the occurrence of increase of pressure in the system.

21. An apparatus of the class descrihed comprising, in combination, a sprinkler systern having automatic sprinkler valves there- .in; a signal; and. means'continually responsive to changes in system for jointly control ing said sienal and including an el ctric circuit; switches in circuit; means for closing switches on the discharge of Water through said valves; and means tending to open said switches,

rs'ng, in combination, a sprinkler sys tailing automatic sprinlrler valves thereiai; electric circuit therefor; a

- a "lo: tating sai wheel in one and operate energized by movech Wheel tending to Wheel, 7

:the class descii i. combinatior sprinkler said responsive means and rein apparatus of the class described Ln. circuit; a Wheel carrying said Wa er meter motor interposed in G L A lllj said system; speed. reduction gear interposed between sid motor said svvitchivheelf is ment from e i er 131 to c ose 1 e the signs the switch n h to reverseiy said mutic means to; .L "I suitcn WllExQL,

, of the class naion, sprinkler sysi er valves there "c circuit thereto a cuit; a water meter motor interposed system; and clutch means for transm ing rotative movements from said motor to said switch Wheel to close the switch on of water through said valves.

25. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a sprinkler system having automatic sprinkler valves therein; a signal; and letter on the opening of the system includin a liquid column. container in communication with said System, Weight floating on said column; a pulley, a belt passing a sig- 1 s nch in said from said Weight over said pulley for rothe on the variation in the ieight of said column and means operated by said pulley for preventing the operation said, signal from increased pressure in system,

' 26. An apparatus of the class described comprising, i combination, a sprinkler systemhaving automatic valves therein; a signal; and means for operating the latter on the opening of the system including a liquid column container in communication with said system, a pulley, a belt passing over said pulley having Weights on the ends thereof, one of said Weights being carried on said column, and means operated by said pulley for preventing the operation of the signal excepting on a reduction of pressure in the system. a

2?. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a sprinkler systom including a main pipe and sprinkler.

-motor in said bypass; a mercury column container in communication vith said by pass, said column being responsive to pressure variations in the system; and means operated by the rise and fall of said column for preventing the operation of said signal excepting on a reduction of pressure in the system.

means for operating the 28. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a sprinkler system; a signal; anc means for controlling the latter including ,n electric circuit,-

switches in said circi ind means continuously responsive to corrections in the system having provision for operati said switches in ,a manor similar to one an, lionresponsive means cooperating with one switches and means independent of "i-responsive means cooperating with the other switch and responsive to pressure changes on iiow into or out of the system.

29. in apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a sprinkler system; a signal; and means for controlling the latter including means responsive to pres sure changes on iiovv into or out of the system and flow operated means continually in communication with and responsive to conditions in the system, said iiovv and pressure responsive means being constructed and arranged to operate the signal only on flow into the system accompanied by a fall in pressure in the system. r

30. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination, a system, a sig nal, an electric circuit therefor; switches in said circuit and pressure and flow responsive means having provision automatically operating to close said switches'to give said signal only on a flow into the system accompanied by a fall in pressure such flow and fall cooperating to operate the signal.

ery means accompanied by a drop in pres- I sure such flow and drop of pressure acting in conjunction to operate the signal.

32. An apparatus of the class described comprising, in combination a fire extinguisher system, a signal, and means for operating the latter having provision for making the signal only on the occurrence of a flow into the system accompanied by a simultaneous fall in pressure said signal being operated by the cooperative action of such flow and fall of pressure simultaneously.

33. In a sprinkler system, the combina- 'tion of a check valve, a by-pass'around said check valve, a gage in said by-pass respom sive to-pressure differences above and beneath said valve, a pressure gage responsive to static pressures in the system, and a signal controlled by the joint operation of said gages.

34. In an automatic sprinkler system, the combination of a check valve, a bypass around said check va1ve,'a difi'erential presincluding v sure gage responsive to pressures above and beneath saicl check valve, a pressure gage responsive to static pressures in the system and a signal controlled by the conjoint operation of saicl gages.

35. lln combination, sprinkler system, supply means therefor, means tending to create a differential pressure between the supply and system, means responsive to said difi erential pressure, means continuously actively responsive static pressure in 

